Count Palatine (Imperial)
Encyclopedia
The Imperial Count Palatine (Palatin, Comes palatinus Caesareus, Kaiserliche Hofpfalzgraf) was a title revived by Emperor Charles IV
which was based upon the former position of a Count Palatine
in the royal court.
In some cases where parties willingly submitted their petitions to them, the imperial count palatine possessed jurisdictional authority (comitiva) to settle the matter. Such cases included: the legitimation of children born out of wedlock, confirming that a minor had come of age, certifying adoptions, attesting documents such as wills etc., certain royal pardons, and the authorization of patents of nobility, coats of arms, academic honors, the appointment of notaries
as well as the bestowal of poet laureate
status.
While the emperor appointed imperial counts palatine for individual territories, from time to time the territorial princes themselves would bestow this honor with comitiva major (the so-called "Großes Palatinat"), that is with the power to transact these enactments on their own initiative.
As successor to the Byzantine emperor
after the fall of Constantinople
in 1453, the Ottoman sultan also claimed the right to bestow the office. Thus Giovanni Bellini
was named Comes palatinus by Emperor Frederick III
in 1469 and later again in 1481 by Sultan Mehmet II.
A papal count palatine (Comes palatinus lateranus) with similar rights as possessed by the imperial count palatine, could be appointed by the pope or in some cases by specially empowered papal legates
. Pope Leo X designated all of the secretaries of the papal curia comites aulae Lateranensis (counts of the Lateran court) in 1514 and bestowed upon them the rights of an imperial count palatine.
If an imperial count palatine possessed both an imperial and the papal appointment, he bore the title of "Comes palatine imperiali Papali et auctoritate" (Count palatine by Imperial and Papal authority).
The appointment as an imperial count palatine was a lucrative post, because the office bearer could levy fees for the execution of official acts.
The imperial count palatine gradually lost its importance, and the office ended with the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire
in 1806.
Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles IV , born Wenceslaus , was the second king of Bohemia from the House of Luxembourg, and the first king of Bohemia to also become Holy Roman Emperor....
which was based upon the former position of a Count Palatine
Count palatine
Count palatine is a high noble title, used to render several comital styles, in some cases also shortened to Palatine, which can have other meanings as well.-Comes palatinus:...
in the royal court.
In some cases where parties willingly submitted their petitions to them, the imperial count palatine possessed jurisdictional authority (comitiva) to settle the matter. Such cases included: the legitimation of children born out of wedlock, confirming that a minor had come of age, certifying adoptions, attesting documents such as wills etc., certain royal pardons, and the authorization of patents of nobility, coats of arms, academic honors, the appointment of notaries
Notary
A notary is a lawyer or person with legal training who is licensed by the state to perform acts in legal affairs, in particular witnessing signatures on documents...
as well as the bestowal of poet laureate
Poet Laureate
A poet laureate is a poet officially appointed by a government and is often expected to compose poems for state occasions and other government events...
status.
While the emperor appointed imperial counts palatine for individual territories, from time to time the territorial princes themselves would bestow this honor with comitiva major (the so-called "Großes Palatinat"), that is with the power to transact these enactments on their own initiative.
As successor to the Byzantine emperor
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
after the fall of Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
in 1453, the Ottoman sultan also claimed the right to bestow the office. Thus Giovanni Bellini
Giovanni Bellini
Giovanni Bellini was an Italian Renaissance painter, probably the best known of the Bellini family of Venetian painters. His father was Jacopo Bellini, his brother was Gentile Bellini, and his brother-in-law was Andrea Mantegna. He is considered to have revolutionized Venetian painting, moving it...
was named Comes palatinus by Emperor Frederick III
Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor
Frederick the Peaceful KG was Duke of Austria as Frederick V from 1424, the successor of Albert II as German King as Frederick IV from 1440, and Holy Roman Emperor as Frederick III from 1452...
in 1469 and later again in 1481 by Sultan Mehmet II.
A papal count palatine (Comes palatinus lateranus) with similar rights as possessed by the imperial count palatine, could be appointed by the pope or in some cases by specially empowered papal legates
Papal legate
A papal legate – from the Latin, authentic Roman title Legatus – is a personal representative of the pope to foreign nations, or to some part of the Catholic Church. He is empowered on matters of Catholic Faith and for the settlement of ecclesiastical matters....
. Pope Leo X designated all of the secretaries of the papal curia comites aulae Lateranensis (counts of the Lateran court) in 1514 and bestowed upon them the rights of an imperial count palatine.
If an imperial count palatine possessed both an imperial and the papal appointment, he bore the title of "Comes palatine imperiali Papali et auctoritate" (Count palatine by Imperial and Papal authority).
The appointment as an imperial count palatine was a lucrative post, because the office bearer could levy fees for the execution of official acts.
The imperial count palatine gradually lost its importance, and the office ended with the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
in 1806.